God's presence

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Show Me Your Face

Steffany Gretzinger

Today is Wednesday the 30th of July, in the 17th week of Ordinary Time.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Show Me Your Face’.

Moses stood on a mountain

Waiting for You to pass by

You put Your hand over his face

So in Your Presence, he wouldn't die

And all of Israel saw the glory

And it shines down through the age

Now You've called me

To boldly seek Your Face

Show me Your face, Lord

Show me Your face

And then gird up my legs

That I might stand in this holy place

Show me Your face, Lord

Your power and Your grace

Your power and grace

I would make it to the end

If I can just see Your face

David knew there was something more

Than the ark of Your presence

In a manger Messiah was born

Among kings and peasants

And all of Israel saw the glory

And it shines down through the age

Now You've called us

To boldly seek Your face

Show me Your face, Lord

Show me Your face

And then gird up my legs

That I might stand in this holy place

Show me Your face, Lord

Your power and Your grace

Your power and grace

I will make it to the end

If I can just see Your face

I know I will make it to the end

If I can just see Your face

3:20

Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

5:26

Show Me Your Face

Steffany Gretzinger

God and Moses are described in Exodus chapter 33 as speaking ‘face to face’, as friends speak to one another. Yet earlier God tells Moses that no one can see God’s face and survive. This describes both God’s presence and seeming absence. How have you found trying to live in relationship with God?

Moses has to wear a veil to hide the radiance of his face after meeting God in person. Is there any sense in which God seems ‘veiled’ to you and to the world in general? Why do you think this is?

As we listen to the words of the reading again, what do you sense God wanting to say to you in particular through the words and images? Take some time to become attentive to God’s presence here and now.

8:30

Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

10:17

Where have your thoughts and imagination taken you in response to today’s reading? Take some time now to speak from your heart to God, expressing whatever thoughts and feelings arise at this time.

12:20

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen